COMMISSION
ELEVENTH REGULAR SESSION
Faleata Sports Complex, Apia, SAMOA
1 - 5 December 2014
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT MEASURE TO ESTABLISH A MULTI-ANNUAL
REBUILDING PLAN FOR PACIFIC BLUEFIN TUNA
Conservation and Management Measure 2014-04
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC):
Recognizing that WCPFC6 adopted Conservation and Management Measure for Pacific bluefin tuna
(CMM2009-07) and the measure was revised three times since then (CMM2010-04, CMM2012-06 and
CMM2013-09) based on the conservation advice from the International Scientific Committee for Tuna
and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC) on this stock;
Expressing grave concern for the latest stock assessment provided by ISC Intercessional Plenary Meeting
in March 2014 indicating the following:

The current (2012) Pacific bluefin tuna biomass level is near historically low levels and
experiencing high exploitation rates above all biological reference points except for Floss;

The average recruitment level for the last five years may have been below the historical average
level;

The recently adopted WCPFC CMM 2013-09 and IATTC resolution for 2014 (C-13-02), if
continued in to the future, are not expected to increase spawning stock biomass (SSB) if recent
low recruitment continues;

If the low recruitment of recent years continues, the risk of SSB falling below its historically
lowest level observed would increase;

Further substantial reductions in fishing mortality and juvenile catch over the whole range of
juvenile ages should be considered to reduce the risk SSB falling below its historically lowest
level; and

Monitoring of recruitment should be strengthened to allow the trend of recruitment to be
understood in a timely manner,
Recognizing the importance of development of reference points for conservation and management of
Pacific bluefin tuna in 2014; and
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Further recalling that paragraph (4), Article 22 of the WCPFC Convention, which requires cooperation
between the Commission and the IATTC to reach agreement to harmonize CMMs for fish stocks such as
Pacific bluefin tuna that occur in the convention areas of both organizations;
Adopts, in accordance with Article 10 of the WCPFC Convention that:
General Provision
1. The Commission Members, Cooperating Non-Members and participating Territories (hereinafter
referred to as CCMs) shall implement a provisional Multi-Annual Rebuilding Plan for Pacific bluefin
tuna starting in 2015, with the initial goal of rebuilding the SSB to the historical median (42,592 t) within
10 years with at least 60% probability. Implementation and progress of this plan shall be reviewed based
on the results of stock assessments and SSB projections to be conducted by ISC in 2016 and every three
years thereafter. For this purpose, the ISC is requested to update the SSB projections for the harvest
scenarios previously recommended by the WCPFC, along with any additional scenarios recommended by
the Northern Committee. This CMM shall be amended if necessary upon such review.
2. The Northern Committee shall consider and develop reference points and harvest control rules for the
long-term management of Pacific bluefin tuna at its meetings in 2015 and 2016. In light of the progress of
this work, the provisional Multi-Annual Rebuilding plan provided in paragraph 1.shall be reviewed and, if
necessary to rebuild the stock to a level consistent with the long-term management framework for the
stock, amended in 2016.
Management measures
3. CCMs shall take measures necessary to ensure that:
(1) Total fishing effort by their vessel fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna in the area north of the 20° N
shall stay below the 2002–2004 annual average levels.
(2) All catches of Pacific bluefin tuna less than 30 kg shall be reduced to 50% of the 2002–2004 annual
average levels. Any overage of the catch limit shall be deducted from the catch limit for the
following year.
4. CCMs shall take every possible measure not to increase catches of Pacific bluefin tuna 30 kg or larger
from the 2002–2004 annual average levels.
5. CCMs shall report their 2002–2004 baseline fishing effort and <30 kg and >=30 kg catch levels for
2013 and 2014, by fishery, as referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, to the Executive Director by 31
July 2015. CCMs shall also report to the Executive Director by 31 July each year their fishing effort and
<30 kg and >=30 kg catch levels, by fishery, for the previous year, accounting for all catches, including
discards. The Executive Director will compile this information each year into an appropriate format for
the use of the Northern Committee.
6. CCMs shall intensify cooperation for effective implementation of this CMM, including juvenile catch
reduction.
7. CCMs, in particular those catching juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna, shall take measures to monitor and
obtain prompt results of recruitment of juveniles each year.
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8. Consistent with their rights and obligations under international law, and in accordance with domestic
laws and regulations, CCMs shall, to the extent possible, take measures necessary to prevent commercial
transaction of Pacific bluefin tuna and its products that undermine the effectiveness of this CMM,
especially measures prescribed in the paragraph 3 above. CCMs shall cooperate for this purpose.
9. CCMs shall cooperate to establish a catch documentation scheme (CDS) to be applied to Pacific
bluefin tuna as a matter of priority.
10. CCMs shall also take measures necessary to strengthen data collecting system for Pacific bluefin tuna
fisheries in order to improve the data quality and timeliness of all the data reporting;
11. CCMs shall report to Executive Director by 31 July annually measures they used to implement
paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 13 of this CMM. CCMs shall also monitor the international trade of the
products derived from Pacific bluefin tuna and report the results to Executive Director by 31 July
annually. The Northern Committee shall annually review those reports CCMs submit pursuant to this
paragraph and if necessary, advise a CCM to take an action for enhancing its compliance with this CMM.
12. The WCPFC Executive Director shall communicate this Conservation Management Measure to the
IATTC Secretariat and its contracting parties whose fishing vessels engage in fishing for Pacific bluefin
tuna and request them to take equivalent measures in conformity with this CMM.
13. To enhance effectiveness of this measure, CCMs are encouraged to communicate with and, if
appropriate, work with the concerned IATTC contracting parties bilaterally.
14. The provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4 shall not prejudice the legitimate rights and obligations under
international law of those small island developing State Members and participating territories in the
Convention Area whose current fishing activity for Pacific bluefin tuna is limited, but that have a real
interest in fishing for the species, that may wish to develop their own fisheries for Pacific bluefin tuna in
the future.
15. The provisions of paragraph 14 shall not provide a basis for an increase in fishing effort by fishing
vessels owned or operated by interests outside such developing coastal State, particularly Small Island
Developing State Members or participating territories, unless such fishing is conducted in support of
efforts by such Members and territories to develop their own domestic fisheries
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